It is a safe assumption that they will be even sadder to learn that, as of now at least, Prepon is scheduled to appear in only one episode of Season 2 to wrap up Alex's storyline, according to a source close to the show. The beloved Netflix series, developed by Jenji Kohan from Piper Kerman's prison memoir of the same name, began filming in New York in late July. Prepon has not yet returned to complete Alex's story. (That doesn't mean Alex's denouement will be later in the season; the show is not filming in order.)

Alex's relationship with Piper (Taylor Schilling) was a central focus of the Netflix show's first season. But Prepon had signed up for only a one-year contract, and, in the end, didn't commit to more.

Prepon's publicist did not respond to a request for a comment. Netflix, which at the time called BuzzFeed's first report about Prepon's departure "not accurate," also did not return an email.